[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14149-14150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                ARMED FORCES NATURALIZATION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of the Armed Forces Naturalization Act of 2003.
  As of February 2003, there were 37,000 non-citizens serving on active 
duty in the U.S armed forces. Moreover, almost 12,000 foreign nationals 
were serving in the selected reserves, and another 8,000 were serving 
in the inactive National Guard and ready reserves.
  Their red, white, and blue patriotism has contributed extraordinarily 
to national security. Every single one of these heroes, courageous 
defenders of lady liberty--from the Philippines, Mexico, Jamaica, 
Haiti, among many other source countries--deserves an expedited 
procedure for citizenship.
  Mr. Speaker, as of February 2003, there were 1,663 non-citizen 
members of the U.S. military whose unit was stationed in Florida. Every 
single one of them has made the commitment to risk his or her life to 
defend the United States of America.
  Volunteering to serve in the U.S. armed forces exemplifies one of the 
important roles of a citizen. On April 14, 2003, Captain Armando Ariel 
Gonzalez, a Florida non-citizen resident, was killed in a non-hostile 
accident when a commercial refueler collapsed at a supply area in 
Southern Iraq.
  Once more, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the Gonzalez 
family, and at the same time offer all my support and prayers. This 
tragedy only crystallizes the great risk and danger the brave members 
of the all-volunteer military experience in the name of the people of 
the United States.
  We must never forget that the peace and prosperity that we enjoy are 
founded on the ultimate sacrifice made by all those who have

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lost their lives in war throughout our nation's history.
  We have witnessed the commitment of non-citizen soldiers to the 
United States during the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have earned 
our gratitude and admiration. We must now accord them our appreciation 
and respect.
  I support The Armed Forces Naturalization Act of 2003 because it,
  (a) Ensures the ability of lawful permanent resident spouses, 
unmarried children, and parents of soldiers killed as a result of 
service in the U.S military to apply for citizenship;
  (b) Speeds up the naturalization process by allowing military members 
to naturalize after serving one year in the military, waive 
naturalization fees, and allow naturalization interviews and oath 
ceremonies to take place abroad, and
  (c) Waives posthumous citizenship fees.
  I am pleased with the bill proposed today, but urge my colleagues to 
further facilitate the naturalization process to these heroes and their 
loved ones.

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